US to Canada - VFR, no XPNDR, Light Sport legal

OK, how about some advice on whether this is feasible.

I've got a friend in Canada and I'd like to visit him by
plane. My aircraft is an antique 50 years old, w/o an
electrical system or a transponder. I've got a handheld
radio. The aircraft is light sport aircraft legal. I have a
private ASEL, but have allowed my medical to expire,
figuring I don't need it, so why risk losing the right to
fly by renewing. There's no reason I know of why I'd fail
the medical.

First question is whether I can fly my airplane to Canada
(and it would be nice to fly back too :-) without a
transponder, in view of post 9-11 restrictions. It looks
like I need to be squawking to cross VFR, which I can't do.

Second question is whether I need a medical.

Anything else I need to cross the border if I can jump those
hurdles (such as FCC radio license, passport, etc.)?

Thanks for any tips.

All I can tell you is that I typically get asked for my certificate
and medical when I cross the border and go through Canadian Customs.
Canada doesn't have a sport pilot, but they do honor US pilot
certificates by ICAO treaty or some such.

As for no transponder, I think that would be ok. People have flown
J-3's and such with no electrics up to Alaska and back. Just stay out
of higher classes of airspace that require them. No need for an FCC
radio license, that one has dropped away. They are in the process of
requiring a passport to reenter the US, but I don't think its a
requirement, YET.

Since Sport Pilot is not an ICAO certificate Canada does not need to
honor it. Does anyone know what Canada has choosen to do?

Crossing NORDO should be no problem as long you notify them ahead of
time. People cross from Mexico NORDO and just have to make special
arrangements (they assign you a route and an usual pattern to fly to
identfy yourself).

-Robert

To cross the border you need a medical, the law doesn't
apply north of the border.


--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"TRA" wrote in message
...
| OK, how about some advice on whether this is feasible.
|
| I've got a friend in Canada and I'd like to visit him by
| plane. My aircraft is an antique 50 years old, w/o an
| electrical system or a transponder. I've got a handheld
| radio. The aircraft is light sport aircraft legal. I have
a
| private ASEL, but have allowed my medical to expire,
| figuring I don't need it, so why risk losing the right to
| fly by renewing. There's no reason I know of why I'd fail
| the medical.
|
| First question is whether I can fly my airplane to Canada
| (and it would be nice to fly back too :-) without a
| transponder, in view of post 9-11 restrictions. It looks
| like I need to be squawking to cross VFR, which I can't
do.
|
| Second question is whether I need a medical.
|
| Anything else I need to cross the border if I can jump
those
| hurdles (such as FCC radio license, passport, etc.)?
|
| Thanks for any tips.